Opiate Addiction and Abuse

Opiates are among the most addictive substances in the United States. Millions of prescriptions are written every year, with many people developing an addiction on just their prescribed dose. Learn about the different types of these drugs, their effects and how they are most commonly abused and treated.

What are Opiates?

Opiates include controlled prescription substances that are derived from opium, which is a chemical that naturally occurs in poppy seeds and plants. These drugs, which are clinically used for treating mild to severe pain in patients, are also referred to as “opioid painkillers.” Due to their intensely calming effects, opioid painkillers have tremendously high rates of abuse which, in many cases, can lead to addiction.

In the United States, 259 million opioid painkiller prescriptions were written in 2012. An estimated 2 million people later developed an addiction.

An addiction to painkillers often begins after someone is prescribed the medication for pain following an accident or injury. Patients are given a prescription and specified dose from a doctor, with no intention of abusing the medication. However, over a period of time, a person may feel that the drug is no longer as effective as it was in the beginning. This feeling is caused by an increased tolerance to the painkillers, which means that the substance has built up within a person’s body.

A tolerance can also cause a person to take larger doses than their recommended amount in order to achieve the effects they want. Increasing the medication dosage can lead to a physical dependence, which is characterized by growing urges to continue using the drug – despite negative consequences that may occur.

When a person’s drug-seeking behavior scales completely out of control and begins to compromise their physical and psychological health, a full-blown addiction is present. Addiction is far more serious than a strong desire to use drugs – it is a neurological disease that feels inescapable to the person suffering.

An individual who struggles with a substance abuse disorder will often wish to quit but feels unable to do so on their own. The only way a person can fully overcome the grips of an addiction to opioid painkillers is by seeking treatment at an inpatient rehab center.

Types of Opiates

Opiates are prescribed for a wide range of medical needs. There are two main classifications for this type of drug: antagonists and agonists.

Antagonists, which include clonidine and buprenorphine, do not contain any addictive effects or potential for abuse. Instead, they are used to help with the detoxification process, which often takes place as the first part of addiction treatment.

Agonists, on the other hand, include drugs like morphine and fentanyl, which are most commonly used in medical settings and have the strongest effects. Substances in this category carry the highest potential for abuse and addiction within their class.

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Manufactured to relieve mild to moderate pain and coughing, codeine is less potent than other opioid painkillers. It is easily obtained with a prescription, as well as in some over-the-counter medicines. Commonly abused among young adults, codeine is often combined with sugary drinks to create a mixture referred to as “purple drank” or “sizzurp.”

Though now banned by the FDA, Darvocet and Darvon are propoxyphene-based painkillers that were responsible for thousands of hospitalizations and deaths during their prime. While these prescriptions are no longer being produced, a black market still exists for this drug.

A narcotic used to treat moderate to severe pain, Demerol is less frequently prescribed in modern times because of its high potential for addiction. Demerol is the brand name for meperidine, which has euphoric effects similar to morphine.

A synthetic painkiller that is up to 100 times as potent as morphine, fentanyl is only prescribed in cases of severe pain. When used in conjunction with other painkillers such as heroin, fentanyl can quickly lead to overdose and other dangerous side effects.

A main ingredient in many powerful painkillers, hydrocodone can be found in drugs such as Vicodin. It is typically combined with acetaminophen or ibuprofen, but the FDA has also approved pure hydrocodone medications.

An opioid used for moderate to severe pain, methadone is also used as a way to curb cravings for people who are addicted to other substances, including heroin. Despite its use for helping treat other addictions, methadone is still an addictive substance in its own right.

Morphine has been touted as a godsend for people suffering from severe chronic pain. It is also one of the most addictive substances known and responsible for a large amount of unintentional drug-related deaths nationwide.

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Opioids vs Opiates

Many people have questions surrounding the difference between these two terms. As it turns out, both terms are often interchanged because these substances largely produce the same effects.

Opiates

Opiates are substances with active ingredients that are naturally derived from opium. Common opiates include morphine and codeine, which are both directly made from the opium found in poppy plants.

Opioids

Opioids are synthetically manufactured substances that mimic the “natural” effects of opium. Some opioids are fully synthetic, while others are only partially synthetic – meaning they still contain natural opium.

Both opioids and opiates work by activating the central nervous system’s receptors. When these receptors become activated by one of these drugs, they release “feel good chemicals” known as endorphins. The release of endorphins caused by opiate or opioid use leads to feelings of relaxation and calmness, which can be highly addicting.

Ultimately, it doesn’t matter if a drug was derived from a natural source or chemically manufactured. Both opiates and opioids carry an equal potential for abuse and addiction. It’s always best to discuss these risks with your doctor before taking an opiate or opioid medication.

Opiate Effects and Abuse

Opiates produce euphoric and tranquil effects when taken in amounts that are larger than prescribed. The pleasant, care-free feelings a person experiences when taking these drugs are often what leads to destructive patterns of abuse.

Opiate abuse is often characterized by compulsive drug-seeking behavior. For example, in an attempt to obtain more of the drug, a person may visit multiple doctors in order to get new prescriptions, otherwise known as “doctor shopping.”

The pathological urges to use these drugs can also drive people to borrow, buy or steal the drugs from friends and family. As an act of desperation, some individuals may resort to seeking out heroin, an illegal substance that closely mimics opiate effects is commonly purchased off the streets.

In a 2014 survey, 94 percent of respondents said they chose to use heroin over prescription painkillers because it was cheaper and easier to get.

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Opiate Abuse Statistics

Millions of people struggle with an opioid painkiller use disorder, but family members and other loved ones are also impacted. Here are some of the most staggering abuse statistics below.

50

percent

Over 50 percent of people who abused prescription painkillers in 2013 received the drugs from a friend or relative, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

46

people

Each day, 46 people die from a prescription painkiller overdose.

23

percent

An estimated 23 percent of people who used heroin in 2014 also developed a co-occurring painkiller addiction.

Opiate Overdose

A devastating, yet all too common occurrence of opioid painkiller abuse is an overdose. An overdose is commonly caused by taking too much of a substance at any given time. Drug overdoses are the leading cause of accidental death in the United States, with 38 percent of all overdose deaths attributed to painkillers.

People can overdose on painkillers alone, but the risk is much greater for those who consume other types of substances at the same time. Common examples of polydrug abuse include mixing these drugs with alcohol or another type of prescription drug, such as benzodiazepines.

The telltale signs of an overdose related to taking these drugs include:

Unconsciousness

Confusion

Constricted pupils

Nausea

Vomiting

Shallow or restricted breathing

For many people, surviving an overdose was the defining moment that encouraged them to seek treatment. However, some people are hesitant to enter rehab shortly after experiencing an overdose.

It’s common to feel ashamed about your struggle with substance use and fear judgment from others during treatment. In reality, the people you will encounter in rehab are there to support you for seeking help – rather than scrutinize you for succumbing to drug abuse.

Your chosen center’s therapists and staff will work hard to ensure that your treatment experience is 100 percent confidential and judgment-free. This is because they believe in your ability to overcome the disease of addiction. They want to do everything they can to instill the confidence and motivation you will need throughout your recovery journey.

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Treatment for Opiate Addiction

There are many treatment options to choose from, but the most effective form of treatment for opiate addiction is inpatient rehab. Inpatient rehab centers have specialized programs for individuals suffering from this type of substance use disorder. These programs help patients dig deep within themselves to uncover the root cause of their drug use. Knowing what caused them to use drugs or alcohol in the first place will help prevent future triggers while in recovery.

Many individuals quickly find that the rewards of progressing through a treatment program far outweigh the “high” they used to achieve from drug use.

AddictionCenter.com is a referral service that provides information about addiction treatment practitioners and facilities. AddictionCenter.com is not a medical provider or treatment facility and does not provide medical advice. AddictionCenter.com does not endorse any treatment facility or guarantee the quality of care provided, or the results to be achieved, by any treatment facility. The information provided by AddictionCenter.com is not a substitute for professional treatment advice.